claims to be german but isn't - why?

[alpinecottage]

Elizabeth may have been proud of her German roots and just "exagerated" her German-ness for the census.  On the other hand, she may have really thought she had been born in Germany or she may have thought the question was asking about her nationality. 

People have very strong views about their "roots", which sometimes gets in the way of the facts!

[Ditsy]

oh that's interesting.  I suppose if she was asked 'where do you come from' as opposed to where were you born, I suppose it's feasible she could answer Germany.  Mind you her mother's family were from Northumberland which takes me back to asking why choose your father's heritage.  Isn't it amazing how such a little piece of information can really irritate you and I can't seem to let it go.

Thanks,
Helen

[Michael Dixon]

Ditsy,

Look at what you wrote on a previous message...  " Parents married Oct 1845..." . Earlier you had written "... married January 1845.. "   ?

And Elixabeth ( was she just registered "Elizabeth" ? ) was born in Church St, Gateshead and her dad registered her birth, stating his address as Church St.... which fits.. Yes ? 

What was time gap between the date of her birth and the date of registration ?

Two male witnesses at a wedding in that era is not unusual... in an Anglican Church.  But sometimes the witnesses were more "connected" to the church, than to the marrying couple !

Right, are your certificates "real" copies of the original registers, or are they handwritten or typewritten extractions raken from the registers ( you might be able to tell by say looking at how many different styles of handwriting... on a marraige cert there would be at least five.. assuming they could sign... two spouses two wits and clergyman ?. A modern-day copy might be only one person's handwriting.

Michael Dixon

[Ditsy]

Thanks again Michael,
Sorry about the error, to clarify:
Henry and Catherine married 18th January 1845
Elizabeth born 31st October 1845.  Registered as Elizabeth Ann, born Church Street.  Father's address also Church Street.  Birth registered 5th November 1845.
Unfortunately they are not original certificates but hand written copies.

Helen

[Michael Dixon]

The GenUKI web site contains abbreviated marriage index for Christ Church, Tynemouth Parish, in date order ( not surname alpha order) for 1607-1754 and 1813-1837. ( but no baptisms)

Sometime this week I will hope to turn up the church records for the marriage and baptisms of later childen, hoping to pick up some helpful clues. And for Elizabeth's bapt in Gateshead ( In Tyne&Wear Archives)

But I think you are maybe soon to face the possibility of never solving your riddle and having to let it go ! ( On the up-side you could do a Catherine Cookson and fill the fact-gap with a best-selling fiction scenario around the German/English birth ?? )

Michael Dixon

[Ditsy]

Thanks again Michael, I certainly would appreciate any help.  As for me writing a best seller, I think it highly unlikely considering the time it takes me to compose replies on here, and the errors I make with dates .   Mind you I think you might be right, in the end I will probably just have to let it go

Regards
Helen